- Joseph Burey
Lessons in the Proverbs of Solomon
Lesson 1: Blessings come to the righteous, destruction comes to the wicked
10:3 The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry,
but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.
10:6 Blessings crown the head of the righteous,
but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.
10:16 The wages of the righteous is life,
but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death.
10:24 What the wicked dread will overtake them;
what the righteous desire will be granted.
10:25 When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone,
but the righteous stand firm forever.
10:28 The prospect of the righteous is joy,
but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.
10:30 The righteous will never be uprooted,
but the wicked will not remain in the land.
11:19 Truly the righteous attain life,
but whoever pursues evil finds death.
11:21 Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished,
but those who are righteous will go free.
11:23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.
11:27 Whoever seeks good finds favor,
but evil comes to one who searches for it.
11:31 If the righteous receive their due on earth,
how much more the ungodly and the sinner!
12:3 No one can be established through wickedness,
but the righteous cannot be uprooted.
12:28 In the way of righteousness there is life;
along that path is immortality.
13:9 The light of the righteous shines brightly,
but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
13:21 Trouble pursues the sinner,
but the righteous are rewarded with good things
13:25 The righteous eat to their hearts’ content,
but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.
14:11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
but the tent of the upright will flourish.
14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin condemns any people.
15:6 The house of the righteous contains great treasure,
but the income of the wicked brings ruin.
16:7 When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way,
he causes their enemies to make peace with them.
18:3 When wickedness comes, so does contempt,
and with shame comes reproach.
19:16 Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life,
but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die.
20:7 The righteous lead blameless lives;
blessed are their children after them.
21:12 The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked
and brings the wicked to ruin
26:3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
and a rod for the backs of fools!
29:6 Evildoers are snared by their own sin,
but the righteous shout for joy and are glad.
11:17 Those who are kind benefit themselves,
but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.
14:14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,
and the good rewarded for theirs.
16:4 The Lord works out everything to its proper end—
even the wicked for a day of disaster.
17:11 Evildoers foster rebellion against God;
the messenger of death will be sent against them.
17:13 Evil will never leave the house
of one who pays back evil for good.
19:29 Penalties are prepared for mockers,
and beatings for the backs of fools.
21:15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous
but terror to evildoers.
22:8 Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity,
and the rod they wield in fury will be broken.
26:2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow,
an undeserved curse does not come to rest.
26:27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it;
if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.
29:16 When the wicked thrive, so does sin,
and the righteous will witness their downfall.
12:7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
but the house of the righteous stands firm.
Lesson 2: Blessings come to those who are diligent, but the lazy will never be fulfilled
10:4 Lazy hands make for poverty,
but diligent hands bring wealth.
12:11 Those who work their land will have abundant food,
but those who chase fantasies have no sense.
10:5 He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son,
but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
12:24 Diligent hands will rule,
but laziness ends in forced labor.
12:27 The lazy do not roast any game,
but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.
13:4 A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,
but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
14:23 All hard work brings a profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty.
15:19 The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,
but the path of the upright is a highway.
10:26 As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
so are sluggards to those who send them.
19:15 Laziness brings on deep sleep,
and the shiftless go hungry.
20:4 Sluggards do not plow in season;
so at harvest time they look but find nothing.
21:5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit
as surely as haste leads to poverty.
21:25 The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him,
because his hands refuse to work.
26:14 As a door turns on its hinges,
so a sluggard turns on his bed.
26:15 A sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
28:19 Those who work their land will have abundant food,
but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.
18:9 One who is slack in his work
is brother to one who destroys.
16:26 The appetite of laborers works for them;
their hunger drives them on.
20:13 Do not love sleep or you will grow poor;
stay awake and you will have food to spare.
14:1 The wise woman builds her house,
but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
Lesson 3: Wise children are of great value, foolish children are a disgrace to their parents
10:1 A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.
17:21 To have a fool for a child brings grief;
there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool.
17:25 A foolish son brings grief to his father
and bitterness to the mother who bore him.
19:26 Whoever robs their father and drives out their mother
is a child who brings shame and disgrace.
28:7 A discerning son heeds instruction,
but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.
Lesson 4: Respect your parents and the elders before you
11:29 Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind,
and the fool will be servant to the wise.
13:1 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.
15:20 A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish man despises his mother.
20:20 If someone curses their father or mother,
their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.
27:8 Like a bird that flees its nest
is anyone who flees from home.
28:24 Whoever robs their father or mother
and says, “It’s not wrong,”
is partner to one who destroys.
Lesson 5: Wisdom comes easily to the prudent, but fools find nothing
17:4 A wicked person listens to deceitful lips;
a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.
14:18 The simple inherit folly,
but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
17:16 Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom,
when they are not able to understand it?
19:28 A corrupt witness mocks at justice,
and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.
28:5 Evildoers do not understand what is right,
but those who seek the Lord understand it fully
14:6 The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
Lesson 6: The Lord is a refuge for the righteous but is the destruction of the wicked
15:29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
18:10 The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe.
10:29 The way of the Lord is a refuge for the blameless,
but it is the ruin of those who do evil.
Lesson 7: The wicked live in fear but the righteous have courage
22:13 The sluggard says, “There’s a lion outside!
I’ll be killed in the public square!”
26:13 A sluggard says, “There’s a lion in the road,
a fierce lion roaming the streets!”
28:1 The wicked flee though no one pursues,
but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
Lesson 8: The righteous are respected but the wicked are looked upon with contempt and feared
10:7 The name of the righteous is used in blessings,
but the name of the wicked will rot.
11:10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices;
when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
11:11 Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.
11:20 The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse,
but he delights in those whose ways are blameless.
12:8 A person is praised according to their prudence,
and one with a warped mind is despised.
14:17 A quick-tempered person does foolish things,
and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.
15:9 The Lord detests the way of the wicked,
but he loves those who pursue righteousness.
15:26 The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked,
but gracious words are pure in his sight.
21:27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—
how much more so when brought with evil intent!
28:12 When the righteous triumph, there is great elation;
but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.
28:28 When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding;
but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.
29:2 When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice;
when the wicked rule, the people groan.
29:27 The righteous detest the dishonest;
the wicked detest the upright.
11:26 People curse the one who hoards grain,
but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.
Lesson 9: Be humble
12:9 Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant
than pretend to be somebody and have no food.
13:7 One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;
another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
27:2 Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth;
an outsider, and not your own lips.
16:19 Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed
than to share plunder with the proud.
21:24 The proud and arrogant person—“Mocker” is his name—
behaves with insolent fury.
Lesson 10: A wise person accepts instruction, discipline, and advice
10:8 The wise in heart accept commands,
but a chattering fool comes to ruin.
10:17 Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life,
but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.
12:1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but whoever hates correction is stupid.
12:15 The way of fools seems right to them,
but the wise listen to advice.
13:10 Where there is strife, there is pride,
but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
13:13 Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it,
but whoever respects a command is rewarded.
13:18 Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,
but whoever heeds correction is honored.
15:5 A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,
but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.
15:12 Mockers resent correction,
so they avoid the wise.
15:31 Whoever heeds life-giving correction
will be at home among the wise.
15:32 Those who disregard discipline despise themselves,
but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.
16:20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,
and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.
19:20 Listen to advice and accept discipline,
and at the end you will be counted among the wise.
19:25 Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence;
rebuke the discerning, and they will gain knowledge.
19:27 Stop listening to instruction, my son,
and you will stray from the words of knowledge.
25:12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold
is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.
28:4 Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked,
but those who heed it resist them.
28:9 If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction,
even their prayers are detestable.
29:1 Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes
will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.
29:18 Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint;
but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.
12:1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but whoever hates correction is stupid.
15:10 Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path;
the one who hates correction will die.
Lesson 11: Walking with wisdom and integrity keeps your path straight but corruption and wickedness leads you astray
4:19 the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know what makes them stumble.
10:9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,
but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.
11:3 The integrity of the upright guides them,
but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.
10:27 The fear of the Lord adds length to life,
but the years of the wicked are cut short
11:5 The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight,
but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.
11:6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.
11:8 The righteous person is rescued from trouble,
and it falls on the wicked instead.
12:12 The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers,
but the root of the righteous endures.
12:13 Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk,
and so the innocent escape trouble.
12:21 No harm overtakes the righteous,
but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
13:6 Righteousness guards the person of integrity,
but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
13:15 Good judgment wins favor,
but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.
14:22 Do not those who plot evil go astray?
But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.
14:32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,
but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.
15:15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.
15:24 the path of life leads upward for the prudent
to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.
16:6 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;
through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.
16:17 The highway of the upright avoids evil;
those who guard their ways preserve their lives.
21:16 Whoever strays from the path of prudence
comes to rest in the company of the dead.
21:22 One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty
and pull down the stronghold in which they trust.
22:5 In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls,
but those who would preserve their life stay far from them.
28:18 The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe,
but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit.
Lesson 12: The wise speak words of knowledge but the speech of fools is worthless.
10:11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence
10:20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,
but the heart of the wicked is of little value.
10:21 The lips of the righteous nourish many,
but fools die for lack of sense.
10:31 from the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom,
but a perverse tongue will be silenced.
10:32 The lips of the righteous know what finds favor,
but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.
11:11 Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.
11:9 With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors,
but through knowledge the righteous escape.
11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
and the one who is wise saves lives.
12:6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
but the speech of the upright rescues them.
12:18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
13:14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
turning a person from the snares of death.
14:3 A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride,
but the lips of the wise protect them.
14:7 Stay away from a fool,
for you will not find knowledge on their lips.
15:2 The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,
but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.
15:7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
but the hearts of fools are not upright.
26:7 Like the useless legs of one who is lame
is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
17:17 Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool—
how much worse lying lips to a ruler!
19:1 Better the poor whose walk is blameless
than a fool whose lips are perverse.
16:23 The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent,
and their lips promote instruction.
18:20 From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled;
with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.
26:23 Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware
are fervent lips with an evil heart.
26:24 Enemies disguise themselves with their lips,
but in their hearts they harbor deceit.
26:25 Though their speech is charming, do not believe them,
for seven abominations fill their hearts.
26:26 Their malice may be concealed by deception,
but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
12:20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,
but those who promote peace have joy.
13:3 Those who guard their lips preserve their lives,
but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.
15:2 The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,
but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.
15:28 The heart of the righteous weighs its answers,
but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
17:20 One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper;
one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble.
21:23 Those who guard their mouths and their tongues
keep themselves from calamity.
22:11 One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace
will have the king for a friend.
22:12 The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge,
but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
25:23 Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain
is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look.
26:28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts,
and a flattering mouth works ruin.
29:20 Do you see someone who speaks in haste?
There is more hope for a fool than for them.
16:24 Gracious words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Lesson 13: Do not gossip
16:28 A perverse person stirs up conflict,
and a gossip separates close friends.
18:8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down to the inmost parts.
20:19 A gossip betrays a confidence;
so avoid anyone who talks too much.
26:20 Without wood a fire goes out;
without a gossip a quarrel dies down.
10:18 Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips
and spreads slander is a fool.
11:13 A gossip betrays a confidence,
but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.
11:12 Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense,
but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.
Lesson 14: love has great value
10:12 Hatred stirs up conflict,
but love covers over all wrongs.
17:9 Whoever would foster love covers over an offense,
but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
20:28 Love and faithfulness keep a king safe;
through love his throne is made secure
21:21 Whoever pursues righteousness and love
finds life, prosperity and honor.
Lesson 15: It is wise to gain and act upon knowledge and wisdom
10:14 The wise store up knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.
13:16 All who are prudent act with knowledge,
but fools expose their folly.
15:14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
18:15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge,
for the ears of the wise seek it out.
19:8 The one who gets wisdom loves life;
the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.
Lesson 16: Silence is gold
10:19 Sin is not ended by multiplying words,
but the prudent hold their tongues.
12:23 The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves,
but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.
17:28 Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent,
and discerning if they hold their tongues.
18:2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding
but delight in airing their own opinions.
18:7 The mouths of fools are their undoing,
and their lips are a snare to their very lives.
18:4 The words of the mouth are deep waters,
but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.
Lesson 17: Unjust, wicked schemes seem profitable but are of no value in the end.
10:2 Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value,
but righteousness delivers from death.
10:23 A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes,
but a person of understanding delights in wisdom
17:8 A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it;
they think success will come at every turn.
20:17 Food gained by fraud tastes sweet,
but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.
21:6 A fortune made by a lying tongue
is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.
28:8 Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor
amasses it for another who will be kind to the poor.
28:16 A tyrannical ruler practices extortion,
but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign.
Lesson 18: Be fair
11:1 The Lord detests dishonest scales,
but accurate weights find favor with him.
16:11 Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord;
all the weights in the bag are of his making.
17:15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—
the Lord detests them both.
17:26 If imposing a fine on the innocent is not good,
surely to flog honest officials is not right.
18:5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked
and so deprive the innocent of justice.
20:10 Differing weights and differing measures—
the Lord detests them both.
20:23 The Lord detests differing weights,
and dishonest scales do not please him.
22:16 One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth
and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.
29:14 If a king judges the poor with fairness,
his throne will be established forever.
Lesson 19: Pride comes before a fall but humility comes before honour and wisdom
11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with humility comes wisdom.
15:25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud,
but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.
15:33 Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord,
and humility comes before honor.
16:5 The Lord detests all the proud of heart.
Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
16:18 Pride goes before destruction,
a haughty spirit before a fall.
18:12 Before a downfall the heart is haughty,
but humility comes before honor.
21:4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart—
the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.
22:4 Humility is the fear of the Lord;
its wages are riches and honor and life.
26:12 Do you see a person wise in their own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for them.
29:23 Pride brings a person low,
but the lowly in spirit gain honor.
Lesson 20: Wealth holds no value compared to righteousness, integrity, and wisdom
11:4 Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath,
but righteousness delivers from death.
11:16 A kind-hearted woman gains honor,
but ruthless men gain only wealth.
11:18 A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
11:28 Those who trust in their riches will fall,
but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.
15:16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great wealth with turmoil.
15:17 Better a small serving of vegetables with love
than a fattened calf with hatred.
16:8 Better a little with righteousness
than much gain with injustice.
21:3 To do what is right and just
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
28:6 Better the poor whose walk is blameless
than the rich whose ways are perverse.
22:1 A good name is more desirable than great riches;
to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
16:16 How much better to get wisdom than gold,
to get insight rather than silver!
Lesson 21: Don’t believe that you can completely map out your life’s path
11:7 Hopes placed in mortals die with them;
all the promise of their power comes to nothing.
14:12 There is a way that appears to be right,
but in the end it leads to death.
16:1 To humans belong the plans of the heart,
but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.
16:2 All a person’s ways seem pure to them,
but motives are weighed by the Lord.
16:3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.
16:9 In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps.
19:21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
20:24 A person’s steps are directed by the Lord.
How then can anyone understand their own way?
21:2 A person may think their own ways are right,
but the Lord weighs the heart.
21:30 There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan
that can succeed against the Lord.
21:31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but victory rests with the Lord.
25:19 Like a broken tooth or a lame foot
is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.
28:26 Those who trust in themselves are fools,
but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.
29:25 The greedy stir up conflict,
but those who trust in the Lord will prosper.
27:1 Do not boast about tomorrow,
for you do not know what a day may bring.
Lesson 22: Better to remain calm and to show self-control than to start a quarrel
11:12 Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense,
but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.
12:16 Fools show their annoyance at once,
but the prudent overlook an insult
15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
17:14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;
so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
18:1 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends
and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.
20:3 It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,
but every fool is quick to quarrel.
22:10 Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife;
quarrels and insults are ended.
26:21 As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire,
so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.
29:8 Mockers stir up a city,
but the wise turn away anger.
29:11 Fools give full vent to their rage,
but the wise bring calm in the end.
17:1 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet
than a house full of feasting, with strife.
14:29 Whoever is patient has great understanding,
but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.
15:18 A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,
but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.
16:32 Better a patient person than a warrior,
one with self-control than one who takes a city.
17:27 The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint,
and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.
19:11 A person’s wisdom yields patience;
it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.
29:22 An angry person stirs up conflict,
and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.
Lesson 23: It is beneficial to use many advisers and companions
11:14 For lack of guidance a nation falls,
but victory is won through many advisers.
14:28 A large population is a king’s glory,
but without subjects a prince is ruined.
15:22 Plans fail for lack of counsel,
but with many advisers they succeed.
20:18 Plans are established by seeking advice;
so if you wage war, obtain guidance.
Lesson 24: Don’t deal with strangers
11:15 Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer,
but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.
17:18 One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge
and puts up security for a neighbor.
20:16 Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;
hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.
Lesson 25: Blessings comes to those who are generous but disasters strike the greedy
11:24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
11:25 A generous person will prosper;
whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
15:27 The greedy bring ruin to their households,
but the one who hates bribes will live.
21:26 All day long he craves for more,
but the righteous give without sparing.
14:21 It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor,
but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.
14:31 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,
but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
19:17 Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord,
and he will reward them for what they have done.
21:13 Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor
will also cry out and not be answered.
22:9 The generous will themselves be blessed,
for they share their food with the poor.
28:25 The greedy stir up conflict,
but those who trust in the Lord will prosper.
28:27 Those who give to the poor will lack nothing,
but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.
29:4 By justice a king gives a country stability,
but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down.
Lesson 26: A wife of noble character is a gem, a quarrelsome wife is a man’s downfall
12:4 A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown,
but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.
19:14 Houses and wealth are inherited from parents,
but a prudent wife is from the Lord.
21:9 Better to live on a corner of the roof
than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
21:19 Better to live in a desert
than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.
27:15-16 A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping
of a leaky roof in a rainstorm; restraining her is like restraining the wind
or grasping oil with the hand.
Lesson 27: Be an honest witness
12:17 An honest witness tells the truth,
but a false witness tells lies.
14:5 An honest witness does not deceive,
but a false witness pours out lies.
14:25 A truthful witness saves lives,
but a false witness is deceitful.
19:9 A false witness will not go unpunished,
and whoever pours out lies will perish.
21:28 A false witness will perish,
but a careful listener will testify successfully.
Lesson 28: Tell the truth and do not be deceitful
12:19 Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow
is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.
12:22 The Lord detests lying lips,
but he delights in people who are trustworthy.
13:17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.
25:9-10 If you take your neighbor to court,
do not betray another’s confidence, or the one who hears it may shame you
and the charge against you will stand.
26:18-19 Like a maniac shooting
flaming arrows of death is one who deceives their neighbor
and says, “I was only joking!”
16:13 Kings take pleasure in honest lips;
they value the one who speaks what is right.
25:14 Like clouds and wind without rain
is one who boasts of gifts never given.
19:22 What a person desires is unfailing love;
better to be poor than a liar.
Lesson 29: A heart at peace is refreshing to the soul but a broken one weighs you down
12:25 Anxiety weighs down the heart,
but a kind word cheers it up.
14:30 A heart at peace gives life to the body,
but envy rots the bones.
15:13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful,
but heartache crushes the spirit.
17:22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
18:14 The human spirit can endure in sickness,
but a crushed spirit who can bear?
20:27 The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord
that sheds light on one’s inmost being.
Lesson 30: Choose your friends and companions wisely
12:26 The righteous choose their friends carefully,
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
13:20 Walk with the wise and become wise,
for a companion of fools suffers harm.
25:5 remove wicked officials from the king’s presence,
and his throne will be established through righteousness.
26:6 Sending a message by the hands of a fool
is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.
26:10 Like an archer who wounds at random
is one who hires a fool or any passer-by.
29:24 The accomplices of thieves are their own enemies;
they are put under oath and dare not testify.
27:17 As iron sharpens iron,
so one person sharpens another.
Lesson 31: Discipline your children
13:24 Whoever spares the rod hates their children,
but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.
19:18 Discipline your children, for in that there is hope;
do not be a willing party to their death.
22:6 Start children off on the way they should go,
and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
22:15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.
29:17 Discipline your children, and they will give you peace;
they will bring you the delights you desire
29:15 A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom,
but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother.
Lesson 32: Fear of the Lord keeps you walking uprightly
14:2 Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,
but those who despise him are devious in their ways.
14:26 Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,
and for their children it will be a refuge.
14:27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
turning a person from the snares of death.
19:23 The fear of the Lord leads to life;
then one rests content, untouched by trouble.
28:14 Blessed is the one who always trembles before God,
but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.
Lesson 33: The prudent consider the path they are on but the foolish pay the price for their lack of discretion
14:15 The simple believe anything,
but the prudent give thought to their steps.
15:21 Folly brings joy to one who has no sense,
but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.
16:22 Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent,
but folly brings punishment to fools.
17:24 A discerning person keeps wisdom in view,
but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
20:25 It is a trap to dedicate something rashly
and only later to consider one’s vows.
21:29 The wicked put up a bold front,
but the upright give thought to their ways.
22:3 The prudent see danger and take refuge,
but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
25:28 Like a city whose walls are broken through
is a person who lacks self-control.
Lesson 34: With wealth comes many friends
14:20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors,
but the rich have many friends.
19:4 Wealth attracts many friends,
but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.
19:6 Many curry favor with a ruler,
and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts.
Lesson 35: The lord watches over and has created all things
15:3 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,
keeping watch on the wicked and the good.
20:12 Ears that hear and eyes that see—
the Lord has made them both.
22:2 Rich and poor have this in common:
The Lord is the Maker of them all.
29:13 The poor and the oppressor have this in common:
The Lord gives sight to the eyes of both.
Lesson 36: Don’t lead others astray
16:29 A violent person entices their neighbor
and leads them down a path that is not good.
28:10 Whoever leads the upright along an evil path
will fall into their own trap,
but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.
Lesson 37: Respect all people a do not wish destruction upon your enemies
17:5 Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker;
whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.
25:21-22 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head,
and the Lord will reward you.
28:3 A ruler who oppresses the poor
is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.
29:7 The righteous care about justice for the poor,
but the wicked have no such concern.
Lesson 38: Learn from your mistakes
17:10 A rebuke impresses a discerning person
more than a hundred lashes a fool.
19:19 A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty;
rescue them, and you will have to do it again.
26:11 As a dog returns to its vomit,
so fools repeat their folly.
27:22 Though you grind a fool in a mortar,
grinding them like grain with a pestle,
you will not remove their folly from them.
29:19 Servants cannot be corrected by mere words;
though they understand, they will not respond.
Lesson 39: Avoid being in the presence of fools
17:12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs
than a fool bent on folly.
25:26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well
are the righteous who give way to the wicked.
26:4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
or you yourself will be just like him.
26:5 Answer a fool according to his folly,
or he will be wise in his own eyes.
29:9 If a wise person goes to court with a fool,
the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.
20:26 A wise king winnows out the wicked;
he drives the threshing wheel over them.
Lesson 40: Listen before speaking
18:13 To answer before listening—
that is folly and shame.
Lesson 41: Don’t always believe the first source you hear
18:17 In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right,
until someone comes forward and cross-examines.
Lesson 42: Don’t hurt your family
18:19 A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city;
disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.
Lesson 43: Don’t be in a haste to acquire possessions or riches
19:2 Desire without knowledge is not good—
how much more will hasty feet miss the way!
20:21 An inheritance claimed too soon
will not be blessed at the end.
28:22 The stingy are eager to get rich
and are unaware that poverty awaits them.
10:22 The blessing of the Lord brings wealth,
without painful toil for it.
Lesson 44: There’s no one to blame but yourself for your own foolishness
19:3 A person’s own folly leads to their ruin,
yet their heart rages against the Lord.
Lesson 45: Honour and luxury will never come for a fool
19:10 It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury—
how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!
26:1 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,
honor is not fitting for a fool.
26:8 Like tying a stone in a sling
is the giving of honor to a fool.
Lesson 46: Correction is more valuable than flattery
28:23 Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor
rather than one who has a flattering tongue.
29:5 Those who flatter their neighbors
are spreading nets for their feet.
29:21 A servant pampered from youth
will turn out to be insolent.
27:5 Better is open rebuke
than hidden love.
Lesson 47: Being led astray under the influence of alcohol is not wise
20:1 Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler;
whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
Lesson 48: Loyalty is rare
20:6 Many claim to have unfailing love,
but a faithful person who can find?
Lesson 49: A true friend sticks with you through adversity
18:24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Lesson 50: Nobody is perfect
20:9 Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;
I am clean and without sin”?
Lesson 51: Knowledgeable speech is a rare
20:15 Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,
but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.
Lesson 52: Leave vengeance to the Lord
20:22 Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!”
Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.
Lesson 53: Don’t fall in love with pleasure
21:17 Whoever loves pleasure will become poor;
whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.
Lesson 54: Be smart with your possessions and save them up
27:23-24 Be sure you know the condition of your flocks,
give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever,
and a crown is not secure for all generations.
21:20 The wise store up choice food and olive oil,
but fools gulp theirs down.
Lesson 55: Too much of a good thing is a bad thing
25:16 If you find honey, eat just enough—
too much of it, and you will vomit.
25:27 It is not good to eat too much honey,
nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.
Lesson 56: Familiarity breeds contempt
25:17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house—
too much of you, and they will hate you.
Lesson 57: Those wise in their own eyes look like fools to others
26:16 A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes
than seven people who answer discreetly.
28:11 The rich are wise in their own eyes;
one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are.
Lesson 58: Mind your own business
26:17 Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears
is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.
Lesson 59: Jealousy is worse than anger
27:4 Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming,
but who can stand before jealousy?
Lesson 60: Admit your mistakes
28:13 Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper,
but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
Lesson 61: Reply swiftly
15:23 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply—
and how good is a timely word!